16th Arabian Gulf Football Tournament opens

KUN0068 4 GEN 0285 KUWAIT /KUNA-QWI7 SPT-GCC-FOOTBALL-OPENING 2 16th Arabian Gulf Football Tournament opens KUWAIT -- The opening ceremony of the 16th Arabian Gulf Football Tournament (AGFT) was chocolate for the eyes and event that sure to be remembered for all of those who have attended the ceremony. The opening ceremony was held under the Auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who deputized His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The ceremony started with a fireworks display followed by the parade of the participating teams who took into the pitch which was all covered in white. The teams of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman and the Yemen are taking part in the tournament with Gulf 16 marking the debut of Yemen in the Gulf Cup. Minister of Energy and President of the Organizing committee Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah gave a speech in the opening ceremony in which he welcomed the audience. He said that the timing of the tournament is a joyous one as it comes days after the end of the 24th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit and the arrest of the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Sheikh Ahmad thanked the all those who have helped Kuwait's just causes. "We had vision during the 10th AGFT to see our Yemeni brothers taking part in the tournament, and this vision materialized in this tournament," Sheikh Ahmad said. He said this occasion calls for reflecting on memories of the past sports figure, naming Sheikh Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz and martyr Sheikh Fahd Al-Ahmad AL-Jaber Al-Sabah. Sheikh Ahmad also thanked H.H. the Amir for his continues support for the Kuwaiti youth. (end) KUNA team KUNA 241839 Dec 03NNNN